Long Hill Township School District
Long Hill Highlights - May 2019
From Superintendent Acevedo - Parent Survey Results on Remote Learning
Dear Long Hill Township School Community,
Thank you to all of our parents and guardians who completed the survey on the district’s remote learning program. We received 265 responses and the following chart represents the respondent’s school(s) affiliation:
Overall, the survey results indicate that a majority of parents understand and support our efforts in remote learning as indicated below:
Important recommendations were also made by parents and these were analyzed with our administrative team and with the Community Relations Committee of the Board of Education. The 5 most common recommendations in order of frequency were:
Develop greater sensitivity and an understanding that parents are also trying to work while teaching their children and to therefore, develop a more balanced approach in our instructional practices.
Allowing two-way communication between students and teachers to clarify assignments.
More frequent lessons with Zoom.
Student isolation.
Balancing Related Arts activities.
As a result of parental feedback, we have decided to put the following measures into place as soon as possible:
- The administrative team will continue to work with teachers to find a balance in the delivery of instruction to students through grade level and school-wide meetings. We encourage parents to continue following the chain of command and to reach out to teachers and school principals if issues arise or if accommodations need to be made.
- Limited Gmail email accounts for all students in grades 5 - 8 that will facilitate greater communication between a student and his or her teacher(s). In the event that we find ourselves in a remote learning environment for the fall, we will consider granting access to students in grades 2, 3, and 4.
- Teachers in grades K-4 will continue to have more frequent Zoom meetings to motivate and instruct students. Administrators in grades 5-8 will work with teachers to facilitate more student contact time through Zoom, Loom or possibly Padlet. The technology team will explore other platforms that are more interactive between students and staff.
- Counselors will continue to provide social emotional learning activities, individual and small group meetings with students and will work with their Administrators to institute a lunch bunch Zoom activity with students.
- Administrators will work with related arts teachers to consider activities across the curriculum and possibly revamping schedules in the fall.
While remote learning is not ideal, we will continue to refine our practices for the remainder of the fourth marking period of this school year. We are also working with our technology team and teachers to refine our practices, resources and training in the event we find ourselves in this learning environment in the fall of 2020. A subsequent parent and staff survey will be issued in June of 2020 to obtain greater feedback from all stakeholders. Thank you for your continued support of our staff and administration.
Dr. Acevedo, Superintendent of Schools
Kindergarten students in Ms. Bauer's class thank our frontline workers
1st graders spread kindness
Students share their appreciation for their teachers!
STEAM at home
Time for Pizza!
Mrs. Schmitz and Mrs. Cunningham assigned a writing piece that asked our students to write the steps on how to make a pizza. First, they listened to a story about making a pizza. Then, they watched a video. After that teachers dropped off pizza kits to their homes and they had an opportunity to make their own pizza, before sequencing the steps and writing about them. Here are some pictures to show all of their hard work.
5th graders share their science projects through Ms. Furlong's Padlet
Rip Currents and Sharks
"When This Is All Over" by 8th Grader Sophia Fish
"My Life in Quarantine" by 8th Grader Sofia Squizziato
Before quarantine, a world where school would be done at home and waking up early was no longer necessary seemed like paradise. Now, on the other hand, I wish everything would go back to normal. On March thirteenth, ironically Friday the thirteenth, I finally understood the term, “Be careful what you wish for.” No longer would I sing along to my favorite childhood songs during gym, talk with my peers during lunch, or go for after-school pizza runs with my friends, all because of a newfound strain of the Coronavirus, COVID-19.
Monday, March 16: the beginning of a horror story. Everyday was the same: I woke up, got ready, ate breakfast, and finished my homework. The monotony of the first two weeks of distance learning caused the days to blur together. I kept losing track of time, thinking it was Thursday when, in fact, it was only Tuesday. I found that mindlessly staring out the window was the most exciting part of my day.
After weeks of this schedule, I decided that my habits needed to change. I found that playing basketball added excitement to my days while also relieving stress. I set daily goals for myself as well as a long-term goal: play high school basketball. Whether it involved shooting, endurance, dribbling, or strength, I practiced everyday, keeping my future in the back of my head. By focusing on my goals and practicing the sport that I love, each day was a new challenge. I came to see every morning as an opportunity to be better than I was the day before.
In taking control of the things I have power over, my attitude towards quarantine improved.
During this pandemic, many aspects of our lives are not in our control. Being allowed to have social gatherings, fun activities, and returning back to school is no longer in our hands. All we can do is stay six feet apart and hope that the end is near. However, according to The Huffington Post, about forty percent of our happiness is under our control. We can either choose to make the most out of unfavorable situations, or use it as an excuse to sit around and do nothing. I am not saying that there will not be any bad days because they are inevitable. But, learning to cope with them by doing the things you love is bound to increase your happiness. After I began to focus on the sport that I love, my days were no longer an exact replica of each other. For those burdened by the unfamiliar situation impacting people world-wide, I advise them to find something they love, set a goal, and work towards it. Most of all, be thankful for what you have in the present, for you do not know what the future may hold.
“This will certify that the above work is completely original,” Sofia Squizziato.
"Social Distancing Experience" by 8th Grader Sophie Kotar
Who has seen my flat Stanley?
Mrs. Anderson's students take pride in their work.
Mrs. Evans' students thank our local heroes.
Reopening our Schools
There is also speculation that we may have to enter into a new version of remote learning 2.0 come September as certain universities across the country have already indicated. Regardless of what the new year will look like, I want to reassure all of our parents and staff that the district will be working tirelessly to ensure that our students and staff are safe and that our students are learning. Dr. Jones and the rest of the administrative team and key teachers will be working closely to analyze student data, our curriculum and state standards to address any gaps in the education of your child caused by this pandemic and the stay at home order issued by our governor.
The administrative team and I continue to have reopening discussions and we have reviewed the State of Maryland's plan, which is a draft plan specific to Maryland. Nonetheless, it is one of the most comprehensive guides out there on what schools can look like once we reopen. Unfortunately, New Jersey has not created such a document and Superintendents across the state are requesting more guidance from the New Jersey Department of Education. This week, Morris County Superintendents were informed that the New Jersey Department of Education is forming a task-force of Administrators across the state to ensure that a cohesive and doable plan is in place come September, 2020. The task-force will be set up according to regions. Morris, Somerset and Union Counties will be considered one region and will have representatives from each county. As more information becomes available, I will be sure to share it with you. Meanwhile, we continue to be thankful for our health and for our families while trying to balance our jobs with the academic and social emotional needs of our children.
Thank you for your continued support.
Dr. Acevedo, Superintendent of Schools
8th Grade Graduation
Mr. Viturello, Principal, Central Middle School
UPCOMING EVENTS
- June 1, 2020 - Board of Education meeting - 7:30 p.m. via Zoom
- June 15, 2020 - Last day of school
- June 22, 2020 - Board of Education meeting - 7:30 p.m. via Zoom
- July 20, 2020 - Board of Education meeting -7:30 p.m via Zoom
- August 10, 2020 - Board of Education meeting - 7:30 p.m. via Zoom